Bolts by the Bay
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Grading the free agent signings for the Tampa Bay Lightning

By Benjamin Henderson

May 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars center Luke Glendening (11) passes the puck against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars center Luke Glendening (11) passes the puck against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Mar 16, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Avalanche goalie Jonas Johansson (31) makes a save in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

JONAS JOHANSSON. D. . G. Colorado Avalanche

  • Two years, $775,000 per year
  • 2022-23 Stats: Three games played, .932 save percentage

It is unclear whether the contract Johansson signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning is a two-way, but it would make sense if it were.

He has started 35 games in the NHL over four seasons, with the rest of his time spent down in the minors.

If it is not a two-way deal, and the plan is for Johansson to be the backup heading into 2023-24, that’s a scary thought.

With the amount of money being used on Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa isn’t going to be in a position to spend a lot of money on a backup.

And you could argue that if Hugo Alnefelt is ready to make the jump from Syracuse to be the backup, and the plan is for Johansson to be the starter in Syracuse, then this deal really doesn’t matter either way.

But if the best Tampa could do for a backup goaltender is Johansson, with a career NHL save percentage of .886 and a GAA of 3.35, this might put more pressure to play Vassy in more games than the Tampa Bay Lightning are actually wanting to.

Related Story. Tanner Jeannot files for Arbitration. light

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